Call of Duty 4 sets DLC download record/Will hit PSN on April 24th

It comes as no surprise that the Call of Duty 4 Variety Map Pack was a smash hit as Xbox Live struggled to stay up the weekend the maps went up. What's surprising is how big of a hit it was as Activision revealed today that the map pack was downloaded more than 1 million times in the first nine days it was released. Also staggering is that people logged over 30 million hours of gameplay since the pack was released. With the pack costing $10 that's over $10 million in sales for Activision who has to be fast at work on yet another map pack for the game.

It will be interesting to see how well the map pack does when it's released on the PlayStation Network on April 24th. The PS3 version has sold well but not nearly as well as the Xbox 360 version but I imagine that they'll have good penetration with that audience as well.

CALL OF DUTY 4: MODERN WARFARE VARIETY MAP PACK

SETS XBOX LIVE MARKETPLACE RECORD

Surpasses One Million Paid Downloads in First Nine Days

Santa Monica, CA – April 17, 2008 -- Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) announced today that the Call of Duty 4®: Modern Warfare™ Variety Map Pack, developed by Infinity Ward, has set a new record for the number of paid downloads on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, surpassing one million downloads in the first nine days since its release. Additionally, Xbox LIVE members played more than 30 million sessions and logged more than 30 million hours of gameplay. Available exclusively for download via Xbox LIVE online entertainment network now through April 24, the Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Variety Map Pack expands the experience of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, the worldwide best-selling game in units of 2007, according to The NPD Group, Chart Track and The GFK Group. Since its release, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare has sold in excess of nine million units worldwide.

The Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Variety Map Pack includes four new multiplayer maps featuring a variety of locations, while supporting split-screen and system link play for 800 Microsoft Points. The Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Variety Map pack will be available for download via the PlayStation Network beginning April 24 for $9.99.

“Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare delivers one of the best online multiplayer experiences ever,” said Will Kassoy, senior vice president, global brand management, Activision Publishing, Inc. “We are excited to be able to expand that experience and deliver to fans a new variety of locations and environments which have all of the intensity they have come to expect with Call of Duty.”

“Infinity Ward is extremely grateful for support from our loyal Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare community around the world,” said Robert Bowling, community relations manager, Infinity Ward. “From the beginning, we were committed to do our best and that continues now with the Variety Map Pack. We can’t wait to get back online with everyone.”

The momentum will continue this weekend as Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) has teamed with Activision, Inc., (Nasdaq: ATVI) and Infinity Ward to launch its newest online offensive: Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare™ LIVE Fire Weekend 2008, a 72-hour play and win sweepstakes full of games and prizes beginning on Friday, April 18 at 12:01 a.m. EDT through Sunday, April 20 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Hourly prizes will be awarded throughout the weekend, including Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare shirts, Infinity Ward autographed posters and Xbox LIVE point cards. One Grand Prize winner also will receive an Infinity Ward autographed Xbox 360 Elite console and a Limited Edition Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare faceplate, among other items. Players can register now through April 17, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. EDT at www.xbox.com/livefire/.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in 1979, Activision posted net revenues of $1.5 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, Japan and South Korea. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's World Wide Web site, which is located at www.activision.com.